There was a dramatic confrontation in Parliament on Tuesday during the First Sitting of the Third Meeting of the Second Session at Parliament House, Accra.
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, alleged on the floor of the House that Ghanaian diplomatic passports were being traded for sums ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
According to Hon. Jinapor, the information was in the public domain and raised serious concerns bordering on national interest and governance.
His remarks, however, did not sit well with the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who swiftly intervened.
Speaker Bagbin cautioned that Parliament could not be used as a platform to make grave, unsubstantiated allegations against the state, and directed Hon. Jinapor to either substantiate his claim with credible evidence or formally withdraw it.
This directive sparked a heated exchange, with Hon. Jinapor maintaining that he was guided by reports circulating publicly, while the Speaker insisted on upholding the dignity, order, and rules of the House.
The session remained tense as Hon. Jinapor gesticulated to defend his position before order was eventually restored.
The incident has since triggered mixed reactions among the public, with some commending the Speaker for enforcing discipline, while others have criticized the manner in which the matter was handled.
